Water vessel that includes a manufactured home on a floating section

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a water vessel that includes a floating section and a manufactured home which is mounted on the floating section. The manufactured home is a home that is built as a dwelling unit with a chassis to assure transportability of the manufactured home. The manufactured home may be built according to HUD manufactured housing standards (e.g., as a structure defined in 24 CFR 3280.2). The present invention also relates to method of manufacturing a water vessel. The method includes positioning a manufactured home onto a floating section and attaching the manufactured home to the floating section. In some embodiments, positioning a manufactured home onto a floating section includes moving the manufactured home from another location. The water vessels and methods described herein minimize the production costs that are typically associated with incorporating the features, quality and styling of a land-based home into a houseboat.

FIELD

The present invention relates to a water vessel, and in particular to awater vessel that has a manufactured home attached to a floatingsection.

BACKGROUND

People have historically gone to great lengths in order to live on (ornear) water. One common way for people to live near the water is topurchase a cabin, cottage or home that is adjacent to a body of water.

There are a variety of drawbacks that are associated with owning a cabinnear the water. One of the drawbacks is that it is typically quitecostly to purchase any property that has access to water. Anotherdrawback is that an owner is typically required to pay taxes on theproperty. In addition, the land and any corresponding structures on theland usually require significant upkeep in order to maintain theproperty.

People often try to overcome the drawbacks that are associated withpurchasing property near the water by purchasing a houseboat instead.Houseboats provide several advantages over owning property near water.

One advantage with owning a houseboat is that there are typically notaxes associated with owning and living on a houseboat because no actualland is required as there is with a land-based cabin or cottage. Anotheradvantage is that houseboats typically require less maintenance than aland-based cabin. In addition, houseboat owners are typically able tofish or swim right over the side of their houseboat and are usually ableto permit other smaller boats to be tied up along side.

Houseboat builders are constantly trying to fabricate houseboats so thatthe living space on the houseboats is as similar as possible to aland-based living structure. While houseboat builders have historicallybeen adept at building boats, they are often not as adept at buildingliving quarters so that the living quarters on many houseboats are oftennot as nice as that of land-based homes.

When houseboat builders try to incorporate the features, quality andstyling into a houseboat that is comparable to a land-base home, ittypically adds significant costs to the production of the houseboat.These additional production costs can increase the purchase price of ahouseboat so much so that many individuals may be priced out ofpurchasing a houseboat.

There is a need for a water vessel that is able to incorporate thefeatures, quality and styling of a land-based cabin in a cost effectivemanner. The water vessel should incorporate the features, quality andstyling of a land-based cabin without sacrificing the ability of thewater vessel to stay on water.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a water vessel that includes a floatingsection and a manufactured home which is mounted on the floatingsection. The manufactured home is a home that is built as a dwellingunit with a chassis to assure transportability of the manufactured home.The manufactured home may include one or more habitable rooms that aredesigned to be occupied by one family with facilities for living,sleeping, cooking and eating.

In some embodiments, the manufactured home may be built according to HUDmanufactured housing standards (e.g., as a structure defined in 24 CFR3280.2). In addition, the manufactured home may include a manufacturer'scertification which signifies that the manufactured home is built inaccordance with the HUD construction and safety standards.

The manufactured home may include any structures, features, items and/ordesigns that are associated with land-based living structures or boats.As examples, the manufactured home may include a furnace, airconditioning unit, stove, refrigerator, water holding tank, toilet,shower, motor, steering mechanisms, life savers and navigation lights(among other items).

In some embodiments, the floating section may include a deck such thatthe manufactured home is mounted on an upper surface of the deck. Thefloating section may further include one or more pontoons that areattached to the lower surface of the deck. The floating section may takeany form that permits the manufactured home to be positioned above thewater when the water vessel is floating on the water.

The present invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a watervessel. The method includes positioning a manufactured home onto afloating section and attaching the manufactured home to the floatingsection.

In some embodiments, positioning a manufactured home onto a floatingsection includes moving the manufactured home from another location. Asan example, the manufactured home may be hauled over roadways to thelocation of the floating section.

The method may further include purchasing the manufactured home. In someembodiments, purchasing the manufactured home may include purchasing amanufactured home that has a manufacturer's certification whichindicates that the manufactured home was built in accordance with HUDconstruction and safety standards.

The water vessels and methods described herein minimize the productioncosts that are typically associated with incorporating the features,quality and styling of a land-based home into a houseboat. The watervessels and methods incorporate the features, quality and styling of amanufactured home into a water vessel without sacrificing the ability ofthe water vessel to stay on water.

The purposes and features of the present invention will be set forth inthe description that follows. Additional features of the invention maybe realized and attained by the product and processes particularlypointed out in the written description and claims hereof, as well asfrom the appended drawings.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and are intended toprovide further explanation of the invention claimed. The accompanyingdrawings, which are incorporated in and constitute part of thisspecification, are included to illustrate and provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be more fully understood, and furtherfeatures will become apparent, when reference is made to the followingdetailed description and the accompanying drawings. The drawings aremerely representative and are not intended to limit the scope of theclaims. Like parts depicted in the drawings are referred to by the samereference numerals.

FIG. 1 is a predominately side perspective view of a water vessel.

FIG. 2 is a partial rear and side perspective view of the water vesselshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front and side perspective view of the water vessel shown inFIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the water vessel shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the water vessel shown in FIG. 4 with themanufactured home detached from the floating section.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged front view that illustrates a portion of the watervessel shown in FIG. 4.

DEFINITION

As used herein, a “manufactured home” is a home that is built as adwelling unit with a chassis to assure transportability of the home.

As used herein, a “dwelling unit” means one or more habitable rooms thatare designed to be occupied by one family with facilities for living,sleeping, cooking and eating.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description references the accompanying drawingswhich show some example embodiments of the invention. These exampleembodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilledin the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that otherembodiments may be utilized, or structural changes made, such that thedetailed description should not be considered as limiting the scope ofthe claims.

FIGS. 1-4 illustrate an example water vessel 10 that includes a floatingsection 20 and a manufactured home 30 which is mounted on the floatingsection 20. The manufactured home 30 is a home that is built as adwelling unit with a permanent chassis to assure transportability of themanufactured home 30.

In some embodiments, the manufactured home 30 may be built according toHUD manufactured housing standards. As an example, the manufactured home30 may be a structure as defined in 24 CFR 3280.2. 24 CFR 3280.2 definessuch a structure as being transportable in one or more sections, whichin the traveling mode, is eight body feet or more in width or forty bodyfeet or more in length, or, when erected on site, is three hundredtwenty or more square feet, and which is built on a permanent chassisand designed to be used as a dwelling with or without a permanentfoundation when connected to the required utilities, and includes theplumbing, heating, air-conditioning, and electrical systems containedtherein.

The calculations that are used to determine the number of square feet ina structure may be based on the structure's exterior dimensions measuredat the largest horizontal projections when erected on site. Thesedimensions will include all expandable rooms, cabinets, and otherprojections containing interior space, but do not include bay windows.

It should be noted that a manufactured home as defined in 24 CFR 3280.2may include all structures that meet the above requirements except thesize requirements as long as the manufacturer of the manufactured home30 voluntarily files a certification pursuant to 24 CFR 3282.13. Themanufactured home 30 would also have to comply with the other standardsset forth in 24 CFR 3280.

The manufactured home 30 may include a manufacturer's certification (notvisible in FIGS. 1-4) which signifies that the manufactured home isbuilt in accordance with the HUD construction and safety standards. Thesize, shape and design of the manufactured home 30 will depend in parton the preferences that are held by the owner of the water vessel. As anexample, the manufactured home 30 may be at least 320 square feet. Themanufactured home 30 may include one or more habitable rooms that aredesigned to be occupied by one family with facilities for living,sleeping, cooking and eating.

In some embodiments, the manufactured home 30 may be a factory-builtpark model home that is built according to various state, local orregional codes. The manufactured home 30 may transported to the site ofthe floating section 20 and mounted on the floating section 20.

The manufactured home 30 may include any structures, features, itemsand/or designs that are associated with land-based living structures. Asexamples, the manufactured home may include a furnace, air conditioningunit, stove, refrigerator, water holding tank, toilet and shower (amongother items). In addition, the manufactured home 30 may be designed tooperate as a restaurant, hotel, motel or motel room, office or otherplace of business.

In addition, the manufactured home 30 and/or floating section 20 mayinclude any structures, features, items and/or designs that areassociated with boats. As an example, a motor 21 may be attached to thefloating section 20 such that the motor 21 propels the water vessel 10.Other example boat-type items that may be part of the water vessel 10include steering mechanisms, life savers and navigation lights (amongother items).

As shown most clearly in FIGS. 4-6, the floating section 20 may includea deck 22. The deck 22 includes an upper surface 23 and a lower surface24 such that the manufactured home 30 is mounted on the upper surface 23of the deck 22.

The floating section 20 may further include at least one pontoon that isattached to the lower surface 23 of the deck 22. In the illustratedexample embodiment, the deck 22 includes opposing sides 25A, 25B suchthat one pontoon 26A is mounted near one side 25A of the deck 22 andanother pontoon 26B is mounted near an opposing side 25B of the deck 22.Each of the pontoons 26A, 26B may be connected to the deck 22 using oneor more pieces of angle iron 27 (see FIG. 6).

Although angle iron 27 is used to connect the pontoons 26A, 26B to thedeck 22 in the illustrated example embodiment, any pontoons (e.g.,pontoons 26A, 26B) may be connected to the deck 22 in any manner that isknown now or discovered in the future. In addition, the size, shape andmaterial of the pontoons 26A, 26B will depend in part on (i) thepreferences that are held by the owner of the water vessel 10; (ii) thedesign of the rest of the water vessel 10; and/or (iii) the geographiclocation of the water vessel 10 (among other factors). As an example,each of the pontoons 26A, 26B may be formed of plastic that is filledwith foam. One example type of pontoon is a 36 inch diameter plasticpontoon that may be obtained from Wilson Distribution, Inc., ofReedsburg, Pa.

It should be noted that the floating section 20 may take any form thatpermits the manufactured home 30 to be positioned above the water whenthe water vessel 10 is floating on the water. As an example, thefloating section 20 may be formed by all (or part of) a boat hull.Example materials for the boat hull may include steel, plastic, aluminumand concrete.

The manufactured home 30 may be attached to the floating section 20 inany manner that is known now or discovered in the future. As an example,the manufactured home 30 may be secured to one or more structuralmembers (not visible in the Figures) that form the deck 22.

The type of attachment between the manufactured home 30 and the floatingsection 20 will depend in part on (i) the preferences that are held bythe owner of the water vessel 10; (ii) the structural design of themanufactured home 30 and the floating section 20; and/or (iii) thegeographic location of the water vessel 10 (among other factors).

A method of manufacturing a water vessel 10 will now be described withreference to FIGS. 4 and 5. The method includes positioning amanufactured home 30 onto a floating section 20 (see FIG. 5) andattaching the manufactured home 30 to the floating section 20 (see FIG.4). In some embodiments, positioning a manufactured home 30 onto afloating section 20 may include moving the manufactured home 30 fromanother location (e.g., by hauling the manufactured home 30 overroadways).

The method may further include purchasing the manufactured home 30. Insome embodiments, purchasing the manufactured home 30 may includepurchasing a manufactured home 30 that has a manufacturer'scertification which indicates that the manufactured home 30 was built inaccordance with the HUD construction and safety standards.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, attaching the manufactured home 30 to thefloating section 20 may include attaching the manufactured home 30 to anupper surface 23 of a deck 22. The manufactured home 30 may be attachedto the floating section 20 by securing the manufactured home to one ormore structural members (not visible in Figures) that form the deck 22.

As discussed above, the manufactured home 30 may be attached to thefloating section 20 by any method that is known now or discovered in thefuture. The type of attachment between the manufactured home 30 and thefloating section 20 will depend in part on the type of floating section20 and the type of manufactured home 30 that are used in the method.

The operations discussed above with respect to the described methods maybe performed in a different order from those described herein. It shouldbe noted that the type of floating section 20 and the type ofmanufactured home 30 may vary as long as the manufactured home 30 can bepositioned above the water when the water vessel 10 is floating on thewater.

The water vessels and methods described herein are able to incorporatethe features, quality and styling of a land-based home into a watervessel in a cost effective manner. The water vessels and methodsincorporate the features, quality and styling of a land-based home intoa water vessel without sacrificing the ability of the water vessel tostay on water. In addition, the water vessel 10 may be manufactured suchthat the water vessel 10 meets U.S. Coast Guard safety specifications.

While the invention has been described in detail with respect to thespecific aspects thereof, it will be appreciated that those skilled inthe art, upon attaining an understanding of the foregoing, may readilyconceive of alterations to, variations of, and equivalents to theseaspects which fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention,which should be assessed accordingly to that of the appended claims.

1. A water vessel comprising: a floating section; and a manufacturedhome mounted on the floating section, the manufactured home being a homethat is built as a dwelling unit with a chassis to assuretransportability of the manufactured home, wherein the manufactured homeis built according to HUD manufactured housing standards that are ineffect at the time the manufactured home is built.
 2. (canceled)
 3. Thewater vessel of claim 1 wherein the manufactured home is at least 320square feet.
 4. The water vessel of claim 1 further comprising a motorattached to the floating section such that the motor propels the watervessel.
 5. The water vessel of claim 1 wherein the floating sectionincludes a deck such that the manufactured home is mounted on the deck.6. The water vessel of claim 5 wherein the deck includes an uppersurface and a lower surface such that the manufactured home is mountedon the upper surface of the deck, the floating section further includingat least one pontoon attached to the lower surface of the deck.
 7. Thewater vessel of claim 6 wherein the floating section includes twopontoons that are attached to the lower surface of the deck.
 8. Thewater vessel of claim 7 wherein one pontoon is mounted near one side ofthe deck and the other pontoon is mounted near an opposing side of thedeck.
 9. The water vessel of claim 7 wherein each of the two pontoons isconnected to the deck using at least one piece of angle iron.
 10. Thewater vessel of claim 6 wherein the at least one pontoon is formed ofplastic that is filled with foam.
 11. A water vessel comprising: afloating section; and a manufactured home mounted on the floatingsection, the manufactured home being a home that is built as a dwellingunit with a chassis to assure transportability of the manufactured home,wherein the manufactured home is a structure as defined in 24 CFR3280.2.
 12. A water vessel comprising: a floating section; and amanufactured home mounted on the floating section, the manufactured homebeing a home that is built as a dwelling unit with a chassis to assuretransportability of the manufactured home, wherein the manufactured homeincludes a manufacturer's certification which indicates that themanufactured home is built in accordance with the HUD construction andsafety standards that are in effect at the time the manufactured home isbuilt.
 13. The water vessel of claim 1 wherein the manufactured homeincludes one or more habitable rooms that are designed to be occupied byone family with facilities for living, sleeping, cooking and eating. 14.A method of manufacturing a water vessel, the method comprising:positioning manufactured home onto a floating section; attaching themanufacturing home to the floating section; and purchasing themanufactured home, wherein purchasing, the manufactured home includespurchasing a manufactured home that has a manufacturer's certificationthat the manufactured home is built in accordance with the HUDconstruction and safety standards that are in effect at the time themanufactured home is built.
 15. The method of claim 14 whereinpositioning a manufactured home onto a floating section includes movingthe manufactured home from another location.
 16. The method of claim 15wherein moving the manufactured home from another location includeshauling the manufactured home over roadways. 17-18. (canceled)
 19. Themethod of claim 14 wherein attaching the manufactured home to thefloating section includes attaching the manufactured home to an uppersurface of a deck.
 20. The method of claim 19 wherein attaching themanufactured home to the upper surface of the deck includes securing themanufactured home to one or more structural members that form the deck.